There will be no protecting the family from Black Bart or grizzly bears in the Garden State, unless, of course, that trusty old Red Ryder carbine-action, 200-shot, range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time is properly registered with the state.

Under New Jersey’s gun control laws, children – and adults alike – could face steep penalties for illegally owning BB guns, which according to the Graves Act, makes little distinction between the childhood classic rite of passage and illegal big boy weapons like machine guns and sawed-off shotguns.

As reported by Fox News last month, various states across the country have different laws when it comes to airsoft or BB guns, but New Jersey by far has the strictest regulations. Violating the act, which includes mandatory registration and permits to purchase BB guns, can produce a minimum three-year jail sentence and hefty fines.

In fact, 22-year-old Idyriss Thomas was arrested in October after police received several reports of a man brandishing a firearm. As it turned out, Thomas was simply shooting a rubber ducky with an airsoft gun for target practics in the back yard of his Glassboro, New Jersey, home.

When officers responded to the calls, they determined that the airsoft gun was unlicensed. Thomas was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon.

“I didn’t realize that what I had in my hand would cause the events that happened today,” Thomas told local reporters after the incident. “I had the airsoft gun in my hand, playing with it, taking shots at a rubber ducky – not harming anybody.”

But it’s not just adults shooting rubber duckies in the backyard for target practice that are being affected by the tough laws.

“In all honesty, kids who are charged are looking at mandatory jail time,” said New Jersey attorney William Proetta, adding that a conviction could lead to prison time.

However, judges have the authority to issue waivers or even downgrade charges that fall under the Graves Act if such charges are brought through their courts, but they aren’t required to do either and, depending on the county, often don’t.

“The only defense is to request a waiver but if that’s not granted, young kids can get a felony charge and their lives are basically over,” Proetta added.

Joe Murfin, spokesman for Daisy, makers of the classic Red Ryder BB gun, said that while the company doesn’t agree with the opinion, they will still respect and attempt to uphold individual state laws.

“In our opinion and the federal government’s, our products are not firearms as there is no combustion in the chamber,” Murfin said. “While we disagree, we respect a state’s law for whatever reason they may have one.”

According to the Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. Section 921(a)(3), a “firearm” is defined as “(A) any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; (B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon.”

Even the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives makes a distinction between airsoft, BB guns and their big boy counterparts. According to the ATF website, “air guns, because they use compressed air and not an explosive to expel a projectile, do not constitute firearms under Federal law.”

Yet still, regardless of the federal firearm definition, the state of New Jersey sees no difference and lumps the classic childhood toy with laws regulating machine guns and sawed-off shotguns, which obviously are very different.

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New Jersey has had these stupid laws for ages (about 5-10yrs). Its only been brought to light recently because of the pointlessness of this case, and the Defendant's willingness to speak out to the media. But this is literally the worst state to live in for a plethora of reasons.

I had my first BB Gun, a Pump Daisy, when I was six years old. Even though it was what I learned about firearm safety with, it was clear it was not a real firearm. My Grandfather made that distinction very clear as to the differences. I am so glad I grew up in a time where people had common sense and were not idiots like they are today. To charge someone shooting an airsoft in their own backyard is totally beyond belief!! I can't believe a LEO would be that stupid, law or not!

My grand kids have bb guns, a'lot of them the 10 year old has a shot gun, you have to teach them about guns' and supervise them when they use them. I want them to know how to survive if they have to.They also no how to fish. I love the small town life, Jersey is a stupid place that I would not want to go to. Talk about the south all you want I love it here.

I had the chance to live in New Jersey but chose not to. Now in order to support America and all the Veterans who have put their life on the line and the Veterans who gave their all for America. I will Not spend any money or time in this state... I say BOYCOTT - Jersey .... We the People of The Republic of the United States of America will defend America at all cost ......

Christie will never get my vote because of his stance on gun rights. All this law is designed to do is remove the possibility of future gun ownership from individuals. Your child gets this crap on their record and then fifteen years down the road some freedom hating leftist politician denies your son/daughter the ability to defend their family because of something they did as a child with a toy! Disgusting behavior.

I take the position that BB guns are way more dangerous than ninja stars, when was the last time someone missed with a ninja star and accidentally impale someone? Therefore I say limit the use of BB guns but deregulate the use of ninja "tools"!

It's funny how the gun nuts laugh at the pot heads for being put in prison for smoking pot. The reason the government gets away with this nonsense is because they go after one right at a time. This is what happens when you pick and choose when you will and will not follow the Constitution.

Wow, why not just roll a cigar out of the constitution and light it up? Then blow the smoke in the face of the citizenry you are trampling under foot? It's fine, they don't mind the foot prints on their backs.